United Auburn Indian Community Awards $195,250 In Fourth Quarter Charitable Contributions – Tribe Gives Nearly $1 Million Dollars To Local Organizations in 2004
Placer County, CA
The United Auburn Indian Community announced their 2004 fourth
quarter charitable donations totaling $195,250 to strengthen regional
programs and services in Placer County. The Community Giving Program –
a philanthropic branch of tribal government established by the Tribe in
March – has provided $984,924 in 2004 to nonprofit organizations
supporting needs in education, health, arts and humanities,
environment, community development and social services.
Beneficiaries of the Community Giving Program contributions during the
fourth quarter include Legal Services of Northern California , Rocklin
High School’s foreign language department and the Auburn Fire
Department.
Legal Services of Northern California provides effective empowerment
advocacy and access to systems of justice for low-income clients and
communities in 23 counties throughout northern California. Dedicated to
helping people help themselves, Legal Services of Northern California’s
case priorities are housing, health, public benefits and civil rights.
The gift from the Tribe will be applied towards the organization’s Pro
Per Project, a program that teaches unrepresented low-income civil
litigants about court procedures and the necessary steps in
appropriately filling out court papers.
Rocklin High School’s foreign language department was also a recipient
of the Tribe’s fourth quarter charitable contributions. Department
faculty are committed to helping students become fluent in a second
language as well as teaching them the importance of other cultures and
participating in a global economy. With the donation from the Community
Giving Program, the foreign language department will purchase a wide
range of reading materials in Spanish and French, including books,
magazines and newspapers. A portion of the money received from the
Tribe will also be used to purchase portable book carts to move the
library from language room to room.
For more than 150 years, the Auburn Fire Department has professionally
and efficiently responded to emergencies and calls of need, provided
public education, promoted prevention and protected the lives and
property of those in the City of Auburn and surrounding communities.
The Community Giving Program’s donation, coupled with a FEMA grant,
will allow the department to construct a Fire Safety House – a mobile
classroom featuring child-sized rooms, with real life hazards like heat
and smoke. A valuable training tool, the Fire Safety House will provide
children and seniors throughout the region the knowledge needed to
prevent fires and the steps to follow should they find themselves in a
fire situation.
“Our tribe has long been committed to giving back to our neighboring
communities,” said Jessica Tavares, chairperson of the United Auburn
Indian Community and the Casino’s Business Board. “After struggling for
generations, the Tribe recognizes the importance of helping those who
help others. It is indeed a great honor to be able to give to so many
worthy organizations committed to improving the lives of those in
Placer County.”
Other beneficiaries of the United Auburn Indian Community’s Giving
Program fourth quarter donations include PEACE for Families and the
Placer County Fair Association. Matching grant opportunities were also
presented to the Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center and Colfax
Area Historic Society.
The United Auburn Indian Community, founders of the Community Giving
Program, is located in Placer County, California near the city of
Lincoln where it owns and operates the successful Thunder Valley
Casino. A federally recognized Indian tribe, the United Auburn Indian
Community is a sovereign government, making the establishment of its
philanthropic fund even more unique. The Tribe receives no tax
advantage for making a charitable contribution to any group.
The Community Giving Program will not be used for loans, deficits or
retroactive funding, advertising or promotional sponsorships,
religious-based activities, individuals, or political candidates,
parties or legislative causes. For more information on the United
Auburn Indian Community’s Giving Program, contact Kris Martin at (916)
251-1512.
